Regulator for dynamo-electric machines



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REGULATOR FOR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINES. No. 339,079. Patented Mar. 30,1886.

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REGULATOR FOR DYNAM-O ELECTRIC MACHINES. No. 339,079. Patented Mar. 30,1886.

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B. THOMSON & E. W. RICE.

REGULATOR FOR DYNAMO ELEOTRIG MACHINES.

Patented Mar. 30, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

ELIHU THOMSON AND E. \VILBUR RICE,-OF LYNN, MASS, ASSIGNORS TO THETHOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

REGULATOR FOR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES.

siiP'BGIFECATIOlT forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,079, datedMarch 30, 1886.

Application filed January 28, 1884. Serial No. 118,996. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that we, ELIHU THOMSON and E. WILBUR Bron, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Stateof Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRegulators for Dynamo-Electric Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to current-regulators for dynamo-electricmachines, and its object is to provide a more elficient adjustment orregulation than is attained by the regulators or governors at present inuse, and also to improve the class of governors in which the currentstrength is controlled by varying the strength of the magnetic field inwhich the armature of the machine revolves.

Our invention consists, broadly, in the combination of means for varyingthe strength of the magnetic field in which the armature re volves andmeans operating simultaneously to adjust the commutator.

In carrying out our invention any devices or means for varying thestrength of the magnetic field may be employed, and the adjustment ofthe commutator may be either an adjustment of the commulator-cylinder orof the commutator-brushes. The adjustment may be of such nature as tocause the commutatorbrushes to follow or be maintained in practicalcoincidence with the neutral point as the strength of the field isvaried, or the simultaneous adjustment imparted to the commutator may besuch that the variation of effect due to adjustment of commutator towardor away from the neutral point shall be superadded to the effect due tovariation of magnetic field. Thus, for instance, if thecommutatoubrushes be set forward at the same time that the field isdiminished, the adjustment forward may be such as to exceed the shiftingof the neutral point caused by change in the magnetic field, so that thecurrent will be diminished both by diminution in the strength of themagnetic field and also by reason of adjustment of commutator forward orbeyond the new neutral point existing with the weakened field. If thecommutator be adjusted so as to maintain the same relation to theneutral point that existed before the change in the strength of thefield, the diminution of current will then be primarily due to change offield; but the disturbing effect due to changed relation of commutatorto the neutral point that would ensue if the commutator remainedunadjusted will be avoided.

An important feature of our invention is to make the commutator, whenadjusted, follow the shifting neutral point due to variation of thestrength of field, and to thus avoid the element of imperfection due inregulators working by change in the strength of the magnetic field tothe fact that with a weak field the neutral point or point of change inthe polarity of current on the armature is farther removed from thegeometrical neutral point in the direction of rotation than is the casewith a stronger field.

In regulators working by variations of the magnetic field a decrease inthe strength of field carries the neutral point forward in the directionof rotation, leaving the commutator adjusted for the neutral point as itstood before the change. By providing a simultaneous automaticadjustment of the commutator to correspond with the change in positionof the neutral point we avoid any dilliculties or disadvantages arisingfrom this cause.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown a commutator adjustmenteffected by moving the brushes forward or back on thecommutator-cylinder because that is the simplest adjustment,mechanically considered. We, however, contemplate employing any kind ofcommutator adjustment whereby a change in the current taken from thearmature would be effected, or whereby the delivery-point of the currentfrom the coils may be adjusted with relation to the actual neutral pointor point at which the polarity of the current is set up as the armaturechanges.

Some of the various ways in which our inparatus, whereby the desiredadjustments are automatically effected. Fig. 3 illustrates anothermannerof. varying the strength of the field magnet. Fig. 4 illustratesanother method of carrying out our invention. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9illustrate other modifications that will be described in detail furtheron.

Referring to Fig. 1, F F indicate the fieldmagnet coils for adynamo-electric machine of any desired construction, and A the armaturethereof, revolving in the magnetic field formed by the poles of thefield-magnet. B indicates the commutator-cylinder, and Can adjustableyoke or other support of any ordinary or suitable description, carryingthe commutator brushes and adapted to be turned about the commutatoraxis so as to shift the brushes forward or backward on the cylinder. D Din dicate the workingcircuit, containing electric-arc lights or otherworking resistances,L. The field-coils F and the armature are in thisinstance in circuit with one another and with the working resistances,as usual in the art. and as shown. In said circuit, or connectedtherewith,isa governing or regulating magnet, R, whose movable core-isconnected to a lever, 01, that carries at one end a contact-spring, 9,

adapted to move over a series of contactplates, P, each connected to aloop from a series of resistance-coils, 1', all arranged in a mannerwell understood so that the amount of resistance in. the circuit 7 6,connected to g and to one terminal of resistances r, and forming abranch around the field-coils, will be varied by the movement of lever dunder the influence of magnet B. As the strength of R increases thelever dis moved. so as to decrease the. resistance in the branch 7, thusshunting more current from the field-coils and cutting. down thestrength of the field, while a contrary movement and an increase in thestrength of the field results from a decrease in the strength of magnetR. Lever d is pro vided with a suitable retractor, S, acting inopposition to the magnet R, and with a dashpot, D, to prevent sudden andover movements of the parts.

The devices so far as described act to regulate the current upon thecircuit containing the working resistances by varying or governing thestrength of the magnetic fieldin which the armature moves. In addition,there is a simultaneous adjustment of the commutator, brushes,either tofollow or to exceed the shifting neutral point produced by changes inthe strength of the field, such adjustment being made in the presentcase to take place correspondently with the variation of the resistancein the shunt 7, by the simple expedient of connecting the yoke G withthe lever d by a link, d so that as the strength of the field decreasesby the adjustment of the resistance, and the neutral point consequentlyshifts forward inthe direction of revolution, the commutatonbrushes willbe. made to follow or move in the. same direction, and to either. re-

tain the same adjustment with relation to-the neutral point, or, if itbe desired, to move beyond the point necessary to maintain the sameadjustment. Such excess of commutator ad. justment may be effected byany desired mechanical arrangement or relation of the parts. i Themagnet R is preferably of such construction as to have a uniform pullupon its armature or core in all positions of the latter with the samestrength of current. This may be effected by giving to the coil a largernumber of turns near its bottom, or in any other desired way. V

The magnet B may, if desired, be governed by a second magnet, G, asindicated in Fig. 2, which magnet may be in a derived circuit, or in themain circuit, as indicated, and may govern contacts Q, that complete ashunt aroundmagnet R when the power of coil 0 to hold up its coredecreases to a predetermined extent. The contacts Qare preferably carboncontacts, or other variable resistance device whose shunting capacitywill decrease with increase of lifting power of magnet C.

Fig. 3 simply illustrates how the strength of the field may be varied inthe well-known way by varying the number of field-magnet coils incircuit. The field-magnet coil is divided into sections F F F F, &c., towhich contacts P are connected, as indicated. Contact-spring 9 movesover contacts P, and keeps a greater or less number of coils-in circuit,according to the necessities of the case. The coils are placed in anycircuit, and energized byacurrent from any source. This device may besubstituted for the expedient shown in Fig. 1 for varying the strengthof the magnetic field for the armature.

In Fig. 4 the main circuit D supplies cur rent to a group ofincandescent lamps in multiple arc, and the field-magnet coils are in aderived circuit which passes through an adjustable resistance formed bycoils r and contacts P g, governed by armature-lever d. Magnet R is in aderived circuit of high resistances around the working resistances, andits power increases with a diminution in the number of workingresistances, as incandescent lamps calling for a decrease of current toprevent injury to those remaining in operation. As the strengthof Rincreases the resistance in the circuit of field-magnet F is increased,cutting down the magnetic field. The commutatorbrushes aresimultaneously and automatically adjusted. The parts may obviously be soadjusted or proportioned that the brushes shall be set forward beyondthe new neutral point,

so as to assist in diminishing thecu rrent taken off from the armature.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated an arrangement in which the strength of thefield for the'machine that supplies current to circuit D is varied byIIC shifting the brushes of the commutator Afor an auxiliary machinewhose duty is to-supply the energizing-current that flows in coils Thecommutator A has brushes mounted. on l I an adjustable yoke connected tolever (I, so that, as will be obvious, a movement forward of the brushesof A to decrease the strength of the fieldmagnet F, will, as in Fig. 1,be accompanied by a simultaneous adj ustment-of the brushes forcommutator B to follow the shifting neutral point.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate how a rotary elecric motor may be used toproduce the desired adjustments. G indicates a rotary electric motor, ofany desired description, geared to a segment upon the adjustable yokethat carries the commutator brushes. Said motor may be supplied withcurrent from any source, and its movement forward or back may beproduced by a currentreverser, E, Fig. 7. constructed on the principlewell known in telegraphy or in any other well-known manner, and operatedby magnet R or other means in such way that when R increases in strengthcurrent will flow in one direction through G and cause an adjustment ofthe current-regulating mechanism in one direction to be produced, whileon a reverse movement of the armature for R, due to weakening of It, acurrent will fiow through G in a reverse direction and produce anopposite adjustment. While the magnet R is of the proper or adjustedstrength the current-reverser H retains a central position and the motorremains at rest, practically no current flowing through it.

In Fig. 8 we have shown how the armatureshaft or other revolvingpower-driven shaft may, through the means of reversing mechanismcontrolled by It, be made to produce the desired movement of the parts.The shaft M is belted to a wheel, M", upon a lever, M, connected to thecore of R, and carrying on opposite sides ofits fulcrum the wheels a ngearing with one another and with a wheel, on, rotating with M. Movingrespectively with the wheels n it are the pinions w 10*, adapted to gearseparately with the segment upon the rocker arm that carries theconnnutatorbrushes. In one position of the core of It the upper pinion,w gears with the segment, thus shifting the adjusting mechanism in onedirection. In the opposite position of the core for It the lower pinion,10, engages with the segment and produces an opposite adjustment. In thenormal or intermediate position of the core neither pinion is inengagement with the segment, and the commutator shifting andfieldwarying devices remain at rest and unafl'ected.

Instead of adjusting the two single brushes of a commutator, we mayshift two sets of brushes, as indicated in Fig. 9. In this case eachcollecting-brush (positive and negative) is made up of two singlebrushes connected together electrically and shifted together in such wayas to vary their collecting extent simultaneously with the forward orbackward movement.

Other commutator adjustments may be used in place of those described.

IVe do not limit ourselves in this respect, the invention consisting,broadly, in combining an adjustable commutator of any kind with meansfor varying the strength of the magnetic field in such way that anadjustment of the latter shall be accompanied by or effect directly orindirectly an adjustment of the commutator.

The connection of the adjusting devices may he mechanical or of anydesired nature, such that amovement of one shall be accompanied by amovement of the other.

\Ve do not in any respect limit ourselves to the kinds of commutatoradjustment described, nor to the means of varying the magnetic field.lVhere the adjustment is an automatic one, any controlling magnet orother device that will respond to variations of current may be employed,and may be placed in any desired position or relation to the machine orits circuits, so as to be aii'ected by changes in the current of themachine.

\Vhat we claim as our invention is 1. In a regulator for dynamo-electricmachines, the combination of means for adjusting the commutator, andmeans for varying at the same time the strength of the magnetic fieldindependently of any variation in strength that would be produced by anadj ustment of the commutator, as and for the purpose described.

2. In a dynamo-elcctric machine, the combination of an adjustablecommutator, means for varying the strength of the field, and automaticregulating devices governed by the current of said machine for effectinga simul taneous movement of the commutator-adjusting and field varyingdevices.

3. In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of means for varyingthe strength of the magnetic field, an adjustable commutator, and agoverning electro magnet or magnets excited by the current of saidmachine for governing the devices, whereby the strength of the field andthe adjustment of the commutator are determined.

4. The combination, in a dynamo-electric machine, of means for varyingthe strength of the magnetic field, an adjustable commutator, anddevices for imparting movement thereto at the same time, whereby anadjustment of the commutator is made to accompany a variation of thestrength of the magnetic field.

5. In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination, with means for varyingthe strength of the magnetic field, of an adjustable commutator, andmeans for causing the same to follow the shitting neutral point as itshifts with the change in the field strength.

6. The combination, in a dynamo-electric machine, of a regulating magnetor magnets with mechanism controlling the position of the commutator andthe strength of the magnetic field.

7. The combination, with a magnet, of a lever actuated thereby inopposition to a suit- State of Massachusetts, this 22d day of Januablel'etmctor, a movable commutator-brush ary, A. D. 1884.

support connected with said lever, and de- ELIHU THOMSON. vices forvarying the strength of the mag- E. WILBUR RICE. 5 netic field connectedwith the same lever, as Witnesses:

and for the purpose described. W. O. WAKEFIELD,

Signed at Lynn, in the county of Essex and E. B. DOEN.

